PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY CLOSED AND NOT RECEIVING APPLICATIONS
FUTURE DEADLINE TO APPLY: October to November, 2023
FUTURE PROGRAM TRAVEL DATES: July to August, 2024
FOR INQUIRIES: exchangessanjose@state.gov

Women’s Leadership Program for Indigenous and Afro-Costa Ricans (Study of the United States Institute) on Women´s Leadership for Afro-Costa Rican or Indigenous students is an intensive short-term academic program in Spanish, whose purpose is to provide undergraduate women student leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills. The four-week Institutes will consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures. The coursework and classroom activities will be complemented by educational travel, site visits, leadership activities, and volunteer opportunities within the local community.

The program provides participants with an overview of America’s leading women in government, the private sector, and academia. Topics may include but are not limited to, the history of women’s rights in the United States, gender, and racial issues, including the LGBTQI community’s struggle for inclusion in the United States and Latin America, current challenges in the global women’s issues, such as the economic impact of the pandemic on women and girls, and the growing role of indigenous and Afro-Latin women in their countries.

The candidates must be motivated young women, who are studying between the first and third year of university or other higher education institutions (between the ages of 18 and 25). They must have at least one academic semester to complete upon return from the program, demonstrate leadership skills in their academic work, community service, or other extracurricular activities. In addition, they must show that they have a genuine interest in learning about the U.S., the topic of female leadership and empowerment. They must be students who have maintained a high level of academic achievement, good grades, recognition, and good recommendations from their teachers. Mature, responsible, independent, self-confident, tolerant, open-minded, intellectually restless, and judicious students are sought. Priority will be given to people who have not made previous trips to the United States or other destinations outside the country.